Graphene and Solar Panels

Energy

Transparent Conductive Films for Photovoltaic Devices

Solar cells require materials that are conductive and allow light to get through, benefiting from graphene's superb conductivity and transparency. Graphene Oxide (GO), for example, is less conductive but more transparent and a better charge collector, making it useful for solar panels.

The conductive Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) used in most organic solar panels is rare, brittle, and expensive. Researchers are focusing on graphene as a replacement for ITO in transparent electrodes of OPVs, as well as improving overall performance of photovoltaic devices in electrodes, active layers, interfacial layers, and electron acceptors.

Optical Lenses and Photonics

Optics

Graphene in Optical and Smart Lens Applications

Graphene is being researched for use in lenses, particularly smart contact lenses, to provide functions like electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, dehydration prevention, and infrared vision. Researchers are exploring how graphene's unique properties can be used to create advanced optics for healthcare and augmented reality applications.

Energy Storage

Energy

Batteries and Supercapacitors Enhanced by Graphene

In today's increasingly electrified and wirelessly connected world, the demand for improved energy storage continues to grow. Electric cars and mobile applications require high-energy density and high-power density storage devices for extended range and rapid charging.

Novel battery and supercapacitor technologies are being developed based on new designs and novel materials. Graphene has the potential to influence both battery and supercapacitor devices. Plaid Technologies is testing graphene due to its high aspect ratio, easily dispersed, high conductivity platelets which are ideal electrode additives.

Aerospace Technologies

Aerospace

Lightweight High-Strength Composites for Next-Generation Aircraft

Aerospace engineers are looking at graphene and other advanced materials as key enabling technologies for the next generation of aircraft and space vehicles. The ability to produce structures and devices that are lighter, stronger, more resilient, and that have new capabilities can only happen with a new class of materials.

Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) have become the mainstay material in aerospace components including fuselages, leading edge and wing surfaces. Graphene-enabled structures can provide weight savings by improving CFRP strength-to-weight ratio, while also bringing electrical conductivity for lightning strike mitigation and embedded electronics such as sensors.

Graphene is on an accelerated developmental trajectory compared to carbon fiber, which took decades for full adoption after introduction in the late 1960s. Graphene has been proven to make CFRPs even lighter and stronger with greater impact resistance.

Oil and Gas Infrastructure

Sector

Wellbore Cement and Well Remediation

Graphene-enhanced wellbore cement represents one of Plaid's most advanced commercial applications. Our proprietary graphene additive technology is designed to improve the mechanical performance and longevity of cement used in oil and gas well construction, plugging, and abandonment operations.

Field testing is underway with U.S. operators including Petro Flow, where Plaid has shipped proprietary graphene ahead of initial well plugging field tests.

Construction and Building Materials

Sector

Graphene-Infused Concrete for Structural Applications

Our graphene-infused concrete platform is being developed to address core challenges in the construction industry: structural performance, durability, and environmental impact. Internal testing suggests up to 25% greater compressive strength versus conventional mixes, with improved water resistance and potential for reduced Portland cement content.

Applications span commercial construction, infrastructure, and residential development.

Electric Vehicles

EV Technology

Next-Generation Battery Technology for EVs

The rapid growth of electric vehicles is pushing demand for more efficient, durable, and sustainable battery technologies. While lithium-ion batteries have dominated the EV landscape, they have limitations including long charging times, degradation over multiple cycles, and safety concerns.

By integrating graphene into energy storage solutions, researchers aim to significantly improve battery performance, enabling faster charging, higher energy density, longer lifespan, improved efficiency, and enhanced safety through superior thermal conductivity that dissipates heat and minimizes the risk of thermal runaway.

Quantum Computing

Emerging Tech

Graphene-Enabled Quantum Computing Architectures

Graphene is a promising material for quantum computing due to its unique electronic and mechanical properties, which can be used to create and stabilize qubits, transmit quantum information efficiently, and build ultra-thin quantum circuits.

Potential applications include creating robust topological qubits, developing novel spintronic devices to connect qubits, and improving components like single-photon detectors. Research is exploring graphene's ability to host exotic states of matter and enable magnet-free quantum effects, paving the way for more powerful and efficient quantum computers.